How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
But I will tell you this secret thing, which not one of them saw, not even August, the thing that brought me the most cause for gladness. It was how Sugar-Girl said what she did, like I was truly one of them. Not one person in the room said, Sugar-Girl, really, talking about white people like that and we have a white person present. They didn't even think of me being different (10.162).
Here, Lily uses the word "secret" to describe this moment because something so subtle occurs that it apparently goes unnoticed and unmentioned by everyone else who was present, and it's something that brings her a profound—but very private—kind of joy. Now that sounds like the good kind of secret.
Quote #8
He looked at Rosaleen. 'So how do you know August?'
I held my breath, aware that my rocking chair had come to a standstill.
'She's my husband's first cousin,' Rosaleen said. 'Me and her kept up after my husband left me. August was the only one of his family who knew what a sorry jackass he was.' She cut her eyes at me as if to say, See? You aren't the only one who can concoct lies at the drop of a hat (10.70-72).
This moment is yet another example of the pervasiveness of lying throughout the book. Lily had previously taken it upon herself to do most of the lying for herself and Rosaleen, but here Rosaleen decides to take a crack at it.
Quote #9
'But—but—you never said a word. How come you didn't tell me?'
'Because you weren't ready to know about her. I didn't want to risk you running away again. I wanted you to have a chance to get yourself on solid ground, get your heart bolstered up first. There's a fullness of time for things, Lily. You have to know when to prod and when to be quiet, when to let things take their course. That's what I've been trying to do' (12.31-32).
Despite having told lie after lie for basically the entire book, Lily is honked off to realize that August hasn't been entirely forthcoming with her. August's explanation is that truth is something you have to be ready to hear/relay, and so secrecy was the best course of action, in her view.